Visa Category Footnotes

The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

A-1

A-2

G-1 through G-4

NATO 1 through NATO 6

An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle alien’s country of nationality.

Example: John Doe is a national of the country of Z that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. His wife and child are nationals of the country of Y which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as Mr. Doe, the principal visa holder.

The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.

Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

Canadian Nationals

Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

Mexican Nationals

Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

T-2 (spouse)

T-3 (child)

T-4 (parent)

The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

General Documents

Please check back for update.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth

Available

Fees: There is a fee for this service, plus postage.

Document Name: Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Registrar of the Supreme Court, located at Whitepark Road, St. Michael.

Death/Burial

Available: only for those persons who died before the year 1925.

Fees: There is a fee for this service, plus postage.

Document Name: Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: Registrar of the Supreme Court, Barbados

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The certificate is a certified copy of the entry in the book of the parish church where the burial occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Yes

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage

Available

Fees: There is a fee for this service, plus postage.

Document Name: Certificate of Marriage

Issuing Authority: Registrar of the Supreme Court, Barbados

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This certificate is a certified copy of an extract of the record of the officiating Marriage Officer.

Divorce

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable: Once a final adoption order has been entered by a court, adoptive parents may apply for a new birth certificate listing them as parents of the adopted child at the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Identity Card

Available

Issuing Authority: The Licensing Authority issues drivers licenses at various locations on the island.The Electoral and Boundaries Commission issues government identity cards at Warrens Tower II, Warrens, and St. Michael. Both documents are considered reliable forms of identity on the island.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants must submit their name, date and place of birth, and addresses and dates of residence in Barbados. The application must be accompanied by a set of fingerprints that will be taken by a police officer at the time of application.

Court Records

Prison Records

Available

Issuing Authority: Available from the Superintendent of Prisons, Glendairy Prison, Station Hill, Barbados.

Comments: Name and dates of imprisonment must be included.

Military Records

Available

Issuing Authority: For those serving in the Barbados Defense Force, records are available from: The Adjutant, Barbados Defense Force, St. Anne's Fort, The Garrison, and Barbados. For those serving in the British Armed Forces, records are available from the appropriate British authority in London. (See United Kingdom).

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):

Other Records

Bapistmal Certificate

The certificate is a certified copy of an extract of the record of the church where the baptism occurred. Baptismal certificates for persons born after 1890 are usually available from the church in which the baptism was performed.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Embassy of the United States Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS

Address:

Wildey Business Park
Wildey
St. Michael BB 14006
Barbados, W.I.

Phone Number:

Main switchboard: (246) 227-4000

Consular Section (Questions): (246) 227-4399

Consular Section Fax: (246) 431-0179

Visa Appointment Hotline (Only): (246) 227-4227

Public Affairs Section Fax: (246) 429-5316

Visa Services: Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applications for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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